What do railway workers do

They coordinate activities of the train crew. On passenger trains, they ensure safety and comfort and make announcements to keep passengers informed.

On freight trains they are responsible for overseeing the loading and unloading of cargo. Yardmasters do work similar to that of conductors, except that they do not travel on trains. They oversee and coordinate the activities of workers in the rail yard. They tell yard engineers where to move cars to fit the planned configuration or to load freight. Yardmasters ensure that trains are carrying the correct material before leaving the yard.

Not all rail yards use yardmasters. In rail yards that do not have yardmasters, a conductor performs the duties of a yardmaster. Rail yard engineers operate train engines within the rail yard. They move locomotives between tracks to keep the trains organized and on schedule. Some operate small locomotives called dinkeys. Sometimes, rail yard engineers are called hostlers and drive locomotives to and from maintenance shops or prepare them for the locomotive engineer.

Some use remote locomotive technology to move freight cars within the rail yards. Railroad brake, signal, or switch operators control equipment that keeps the trains running safely. Brake operators help couple and uncouple train cars. Some travel with the train as part of the crew. Signal operators install and maintain the signals along tracks and in the rail yard.

Signals are important in preventing accidents because they allow increased communication between trains and dispatchers. Switch operators control the track switches in rail yards. These switches allow trains to move between tracks and ensure trains are heading in the right direction. Locomotive firers are sometimes part of a train crew and typically monitor tracks and train instruments. They look for equipment that is dragging, obstacles on the tracks, and other potential safety problems.

Few trains still use firers, because their work has been automated or is now done by a locomotive engineer or conductor.

Railroad workers hold about 77, jobs. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up railroad workers is distributed as follows:.

Rail yard engineers and brake, signal, and switch operators spend most of their time working outside, regardless of weather conditions. Conductors on passenger trains generally work in cleaner, more comfortable conditions than conductors on freight trains. However, conductors on passenger trains sometimes must respond to upset or unruly passengers when a train is delayed. Because trains are scheduled to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, many railroad workers sometimes work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Most rail employees work full time. Federal regulations require a minimum number of rest hours for train operators. Locomotive engineers and conductors whose trains travel long routes can be away from home for long periods of time. Those who work on passenger trains with short routes generally have more predictable schedules. Workers on some freight trains have irregular schedules.

For engineers and conductors, seniority the number of years on the job usually dictates who receives the most desired shifts. Some engineers and conductors, called extra board, are hired on a temporary basis and get an assignment only when a railroad needs an extra or substitute worker on a certain route. Get the education you need: Find schools for Railroad Workers near you! Workers in railroad occupations generally need a high school diploma or equivalent and several months of on-the-job training.

Rail companies typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, especially for locomotive engineers and conductors. Locomotive engineers generally receive 2 to 3 months of on-the-job training before they can operate a train on their own. Typically, this training involves riding with an experienced engineer who teaches them the characteristics of that particular train route.

During training, an engineer learns the track length, where the switches are, and any unusual features of the track. An experienced engineer who switches to a new route also has to spend a few months in training to learn the route with an engineer who is familiar with it.

In addition, railroad companies provide continuing education so that engineers can maintain their skills. Most railroad companies have 1 to 3 months of on-the-job training for conductors and yardmasters. Amtrak the passenger train company and some of the larger freight railroad companies operate their own training programs.

Smaller and regional railroads may send conductors to a central training facility or a community college. Yardmasters may be sent to training programs or may be trained by an experienced yardmaster. They learn how to operate remote locomotive technology and how to manage railcars in the yard. Conductors and yardmasters working for freight railroads also learn the proper procedures for loading and unloading different types of cargo.

Conductors on passenger trains learn ticketing procedures and how to handle passengers. Rail yard engineers and signal and switch operators also receive on-the-job training, generally through a company training program.

This program may last a few weeks to a few months, depending on the company and the complexity of the job. They make the important decisions on when cars must be removed and whether there are safety issues. Just like a musical conductor conducts and controls a performance, a rail conductor does the same for the rail line.

The engineer is the key member of the railway team. He is responsible for the operation of the train. He must have a full understanding of the engine and all of the components of the train to maintain a proper functioning level of operation.

The yardmaster is in control of all yard employees. He is responsible for the loading and unloading of cargo from trains and the switching of tracks when necessary. The yardmaster runs the rail yard and makes sure that it continues functioning in a proper manner.

He works with both the engineer and especially the conductor to make sure that the yard matters are carried out according to yard rules and conductor specifications. Rail transportation workers have distinct personalities.

They like tasks that are tactile, physical, athletic, or mechanical. Future demand Help tooltip Likely occupation growth over the next 5 years. Primary Industries. Administrative and Support Services. Transport, Postal and Warehousing. Home Occupations Railway Track Worker. Skills employers are looking for Help tooltip Top skills requested in job advertisements for this occupation.